Chapter 748: Section 536: Deciding the Winner
Snowbird Duel Arena.
In the observation room, Mei Landu lamented, "I never expected that this culinary duel would actually require the making of Golden Level dishes at the end."
This situation was not common.
Usually, the competition would revolve around the Black Iron Level and Silver Level, and the winner would be decided there.
However, Da Dou and Ci Haishen were closely matched in strength, and the only key factor was that after Ci Haishen seized the Big Guy, Da Dou also gradually lost his advantage in points.
It couldn’t be said that Da Dou’s choice at that time was wrong.
Because even if he had kept the Big Guy, Ci Haishen would have still risked making Gold-level dishes.
For a magic chef, making dishes of the same level was always a risk.
Making extraordinary dishes, unlike making potions or equipment, the latter two taking possibly a long time to perfect, cooking was often done in a very short time.
One must quickly achieve a magic balance among the ingredients in a relatively short time.
It also needed to be consumed quickly; once the state of magic balance was lost, the extraordinary dishes could likely self-destruct or even explode.
For both Da Dou and Ci Haishen, the success rate of making Golden Level dishes was much lower than that of Silver Level. As for the next higher level, the Holy Domain Level, it was completely beyond their ability.
Golden Level—Yangzhou Fried Rice!
Da Dou added Golden Level ingredients and shook a Silver Level iron wok. Soon, Golden-level rice grains appeared.
"So quick!" In the observation room, Mei Landu exclaimed excitedly, "I finally understand the recipe used by Master Da Dou. Although this recipe can only make one type of fried rice from start to finish, it allows for minor adjustments. More importantly, focusing on quantity over quality can greatly enhance the speed and likely success of high-level fried rice dishes."
"No wonder Master Da Dou has such strong confidence in defeating Master Ci Haishen!"
Da Dou’s speed in making Golden Level dishes far surpassed Ci Haishen.
Moments later.
Two bowls of Golden Level Yangzhou Fried Rice were served in front of the City Lord of Snowbird Port and the Sea Bird Bishop.
Both were eager and, after finishing their respective fried rice, their eyes sparkled, and they praised it endlessly.
"Damn it!" Ci Haishen inevitably felt tense.
There were only two Golden Level patrons present.
They ate the two bowls of Golden Level fried rice first, meaning Da Dou had already established a significant advantage. The dishes made by Ci Haishen thereafter might not be fully consumed by the City Lord and the Bishop.
If they were unable to eat them, then no points would naturally be awarded.
Golden Level—Butterfly Petal Magic Salad!
The main ingredients of the salad were butterfly petals mixed with Night Light Lotus, Frost Giant Lizard leg meat, plus a sauce of Magic Cardamom and pear vinegar.
Lastly, drizzled with cool olive oil.
Ci Haishen’s dish was also submitted.
He nervously looked towards the observation room.
Moments later, the news came down.
Both the City Lord and the Bishop had eaten a serving of Butterfly Petal Magic Salad.
Hearing this, Ci Haishen finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He looked at the scoreboard and found that his points were once again neck and neck with Da Dou.
Ci Haishen dared not slack off and busied himself making the second Golden Level dish.
And unsurprisingly, Da Dou once again took the lead, making the second batch of Golden Level fried rice.
However, when his fried rice was delivered to the observation room, he received the news: the City Lord had eaten half a bowl, and the Bishop had eaten only a third before both could eat no more.
Meanwhile, both expressed that they would not consume any more Golden Level dishes.
"Hmph, these two guys!" Da Dou was quite dissatisfied.
Ci Haishen, however, breathed a sigh of relief.
Da Dou’s advantage was very clear, and Ci Haishen didn’t really believe that the Bishop and City Lord were already full.
Da Dou and Ci Haishen’s suspicion wasn’t wrong.
The Bishop and City Lord voluntarily gave up delicious food, mainly considering the political implications for the Kingdom.
For the Ice Sculpture National Ceremony, the Royal Family had proactively invited magic chefs such as Da Dou and Ci Haishen. As hosts, they couldn’t interfere in Da Dou and Ci Haishen’s personal grievances. If things went wrong and affected the Ice Sculpture National Ceremony, they would be in trouble.
"What a pity, could this duel end in a draw?!" Da Dou clenched his teeth, looking at his opponent Ci Haishen, his heart unwilling to accept this outcome.
But just then, his gaze shifted back to the Big Guy.
Because the Big Guy had woken up.
He stretched a big lazy stretch, then followed the unparalleled aroma, looking towards the iron pot in Da Dou’s hand.
There, in the iron pot, were Golden Level fried rice grains.
"Not good!" Under Ci Haishen’s gloomy gaze, the Big Guy excitedly stood up and ran toward Da Dou, showing no attachment to Ci Haishen’s side.
Da Dou’s heart fiercely shook: "In the Golden Level fried rice, I used Dragon Power black pepper as an ingredient. Logically, a low-level Transcendent wouldn’t... he’s clearly just a Black Iron, could it be..."
Thinking this, Da Dou hurriedly shook all the Golden Level rice grains onto a plate.
As before, Big Guy picked up the plate and began dumping its contents into his mouth.
This action immediately elicited gasps from the audience.
A Black Iron Level eating Golden Level fried rice was likely a recipe for disaster.
The City Lord of Snowbird Port quickly ordered his men to take care of Big Guy.
The bishop also dispatched Divine Office Healers to surround Big Guy.
Big Guy could only eat half of the fried rice before he couldn’t bear it anymore and collapsed into sleep.
It was still that Silver Level priest from before, who had intercepted Big Guy. He approached and consecutively used several Divine Arts to monitor and examine him.
The results of the examination filled the priest’s face with an odd expression.
"He’s fine!"
"He’s currently processing the fried rice, and should wake up soon."
These words caused an even greater stir.
The audience discussed fervently, curious about what Big Guy’s Bloodline might be!
"He only ate half the fried rice," Ci Haishen thought with a shudder, "Once he wakes up and eats the other half, it won’t be difficult!"
He had already tried to overestimate Big Guy, but Big Guy’s displayed strength made him realize that his "overestimation" was actually an understatement!
"Big Guy!" Sanda was the first to rush into the dueling field.
Chi Lai and others who followed him also arrived at the scene.
Sanda was stopped, but he quickly identified himself, "I’m a member of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps!"
Chi Lai’s arrival relieved Sanda from the blockade.
Not everyone recognized Sanda, the Black Iron Level, but as a key member of a division of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, Chi Lai was well-known by many.
On the way here, Sanda had received the latest intelligence about Big Guy and the commotion he caused in the arena.
Although the Silver Level priest assured that Big Guy was alright, Sanda was still furious.
He glared at Da Dou without any regard for the fact that the latter was a Golden Level powerhouse, "You knew he was only Black Iron Level, yet you fed him Golden Level fried rice. For the sake of victory, you disregard even the lives of your patrons?!"
Da Dou shook his head, "It’s not like that..."
He began to explain, but quickly stopped himself.
Sanda’s heart suddenly sank.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Sanda’s earlier reproach was but a probe.
Now, the result of the probe had emerged.
Da Dou could explain, yet he chose to stop talking. By closing his mouth and voluntarily giving up on defending himself, what could be the reason?
"Take Big Guy and head back first!" Sanda ordered the other mercenaries.
"Chi Lai, you must be hungry after fighting so long?" Sanda signaled to Chi Lai and then he led Chi Lai and the others to Ci Haishen’s side.
They were still marked with traces of battle.
In contrast, the Transcendent ones inside the duel arena had eaten their fill and could eat no more. Even if they used Fighting Energy to aid digestion, there was a limit.
The Transcendent members of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps became the ultimate force deciding the result of this Magic Chef duel.
Although Big Guy had previously eaten the Golden Level fried rice, it was only half a portion and did not count for points.
Choosing between Ci Haishen and Da Dou?
For Sanda, it was obviously the former.
On one hand, he was wary and disgusted with Da Dou. On the other, he had a large bet placed on Ci Haishen.
Sanda, Chi Lai, and others continuously eating brought points, allowing Ci Haishen to start pulling ahead of Da Dou.
Then, Menshi joined in, further solidifying this lead advantage until the very last moment.
The City Lord announced, "The final victor of this Magic Chef duel is Ci Haishen!"
Cheers filled the arena.
Subsequently, the City Lord, handling the pre-war secured preservation knives and Eyes of Meat steak, handed them to Ci Haishen.
Ci Haishen laughed heartily, the joy of victory filling his heart as he mocked Da Dou.
The latter crossed his arms, his face expressionless.
Ci Haishen fired a few mocking remarks, and his expression changed suddenly as he launched an attack.
Da Dou did not even attempt to dodge and, being hit, dissolved into a burst of froth and vanished.
Ci Haishen sneered, "Not even the courage to face defeat! Da Dou, how dare you stand before me in the future?"
The audience buzzed with discussions.
Sanda, however, frowned, a growing sense of foreboding. "Let’s head back."
Before he could finish speaking, a wounded mercenary ran back, "Lord Chi Lai, it’s bad! Magic Chef Da Dou suddenly appeared and took our giant away!"
"What?!" Everyone was shocked.
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